remains lay under a close vault of moss, and within a vacant space; and
I suppose, by the digging in the former part of the grave, the part had
been deepened, and drawn the moisture away from this part, for here all
was perfect. The breeches still suited the thigh, the stocking the leg,
and the garters were wrapt as neatly and as firm below the knee as if
they had been newly tied. The shoes were all open in the seams, the
hemp having decayed, but the soles, upper leathers and wooden heels,
which were made of birch, were all as fresh as any of those we wore.
There was one thing I could not help remarking, that in the inside of
one of the shoes there was a layer of cow's dung, about one-eighth of
an inch thick, and in the hollow of the sole fully one-fourth of an
inch. It was firm, green, and fresh; and proved that he had been
working in a byre. His clothes were all of a singular ancient cut, and
no less singular in their texture. Their durability certainly would
have been prodigious; for in thickness, coarseness, and strength, I
never saw any cloth in the smallest degree to equal them. His coat was
a frock coat, of a yellowish drab colour, with wide sleeves. It is
tweeled, milled, and thicker than a carpet. I cut off two of the skirts
and brought them with me. His vest was of striped serge, such as I have
often seen worn by country people. It was lined and backed with white
stuff. The breeches were a sort of striped plaiding, which I never saw
worn, but which our guide assured us was very common in the country
once, though, from the old clothes which he had seen remaining of it,
he judged that it could not be less than 200 years since it was in
fashion. His garters were of worsted, and striped with black or blue;
his stockings grey, and wanting the feet. I brought samples of all
along with me. I have likewise now got possession of the bonnet, which
puzzles me most of all. It is not conformable with the rest of the
dress. It is neither a broad bonnet nor a Border bonnet; for there is
an open behind, for tying, which no genuine Border bonnet I am told
ever had. It seems to have been a Highland bonnet, worn in a flat way,
like a scone on the crown, such as is sometimes still seen in the West
of Scotland. All the limbs, from the loins to the toes, seemed perfect
and entire, but they could not bear handling. Before we got them
returned again into the grave they were shaken to pieces, except the
thighs, which continued to retai